Panorama Route
Please note that this tour can be done as a standalone tour from Johannesburg and back to Johannesburg and the prices quoted here are for this version. If you book any Kruger safari with us and want to add this tour on the way then there is a discount. Also if you want to finish the tour at Nelspruit (MQP) or Hoedspruit (HDS) there is another discount. Please enquire.
This is a world-renowned dramatically scenic northern Drakensberg escarpment route close to the Kruger National Park. It includes such sights as God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, several beautiful waterfalls including the Mac Mac, Lisbon, and Sabie Falls.
One of its main highlights is Blyde River Canyon the third deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon and the Fish River Canyon, and is the deepest of all green canyons (not in a desert) in the world. We sometimes if time allows visiting Pilgrims Rest, an old 19th-century gold-mining town preserved in its entirety. The cemetery at Pilgrims Rest and the headstone inscriptions make interesting reading and it is beautifully situated looking over the town.
We also go through one of the highest towns in South Africa, Dullstroom ( if proceeding from Johannesburg) at over 2000 metres, which regularly has snow and heavy frost in winter and cross the Long Tom Pass where the road descends a winding route from 2000 metres to below 400 at Hazyview where they grow bananas and oranges. The Long Tom Pass is named after the cannons manufactured by Le Creuset in 19th century France, the very latest in long-distance shelling weaponry of the day with which the Boers bombarded the advancing British, and of which one remaining stands beneath the summit of the pass.
The best way to see the Panorama Route is to do the stayover for a one-night tour in the misty town of Graskop, getting to your lodge in the Kruger the next day ( or go back to Johannesburg or local airport Nelspruit) There is a discount if you have booked the safari with us. Or vice versa after your safari in Kruger going back to Johannesburg. Please read the description of an overnight trip. We usually use the following tried and trusted accommodations. Blyde Canyon Resort Graskop Hotel, Sabie Guest Lodge ( 3 stars), Dar Amane, Westlodge ( 4 stars), Flycatcher Castle ( 5 stars)
Price below is inclusive of Blyde Canyon Resort, Dar Amane, Sabie Guest lodge Westlodge and Flycatcher will require an upward price adjustment.
If you want to do this tour in reverse i.e. on your way back to Johannesburg from your safari then we do it in reverse.
We can also fit in the Abel Erasmus Pass and/or Pilgrims Rest Mining Village but this will require early starts on at least one of the days.
From Kruger Lodges, we do the Day Trip up onto the route and back to your lodge. In this scenario, there is not enough time to cover all the above but most of the important highlights.
Please request any of the above variations in the Enquiry Form.
Prices
2024/25
ZAR22, 700.00 for a solo traveler,
ZAR15200.00 per adult sharing for two
ZAR11,500.00 for 3 adults sharing ( 3rd person will have to pay single supplement of ZAR950.00 if seperate room required)
Children under the age of 12 years old sharing with at least one adult ZAR9560.00.
Children 0-2 years ZAR2300.00
This is a private tour with your own guide and large touring SUV (1-3) .
If more than 3 people ask us for a minibus price.
We can fit parents and 2-3 kids in the big SUV’s and also 4 adults of normal stature will fit too if you are prepared for three on the back seat. This is cheaper than the minibus. More than 4 you definitely need the minibus.